There’s nothing like a rich, roasty shot of espresso or a creamy latte to get your morning started. For most of us, that means a trip to a café, because owning and operating an espresso machine has typically been logistically or financially impractical. In recent years, home models of espresso machines have improved and prices have gone down, which has inspired more people to make espresso at home. That said, if you’re considering starting your day with an americano you brew in your pajamas, there are a few points to consider.
The pros to home-espresso machine ownership are many: it’s cheaper to make espresso at home, you can choose the beans that match your preferences, it’s a way to explore coffee and play amateur barista, and the convenience of staying home and having excellent coffee can’t be beat.
However, there are a few reasons you might leave espresso to your neighborhood café. Good quality home espresso machines are still fairly expensive. Cheaper models tend to not have enough heat or pressure to extract all the good flavors out of the coffee, and will lack power to steam milk to the velvety texture you’re looking for. Espresso machines also need regular maintenance and can break fairly easily, leaving you with repair bills and additional descaling and cleaning tasks to undertake.
Added on to the cost of the espresso machine is the cost of a grinder. Many people consider a grinder as a secondary need, but being able to fine-tune your espresso dose and grind is as important to your coffee quality as having a good machine. A grinder that gives you the consistency you want might cost as much as your espresso machine, and will also take up another spot on your counter.
Along with the espresso machine and grinder you’ll need a scale, tamper, and steaming pitchers, and you’ll be lured into other gadgets to improve your coffee. You’ll also need to waste some coffee beans while dialing in your espresso shots, which can add to your overall cost.
If you’re interested in home espresso, try an Aeropress or Moka pot, which can make espresso-strength quality in a much cheaper brewer. Let that be your entry point into the world of home espresso, and if it feels worth the time and effort, start looking into home machines and grinders. Prices for quality espresso machines will range from $400 to $4,000, and grinders will start at $200 and increase from there. If you love espresso, though, and are excited in undertaking a new project, then make your machine your new passion project and get started with a bag of Espresso Primo!